SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Middle Level Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #71 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

FELICITY

Possible Answers:

Jealousy 

Misery 

Fortune 

Happiness 

Despondency

Correct answer:

Happiness 

Explanation:

"Felicity" is a noun used to describe happiness and contentment or something that creates happiness and contentment. For clarification, "despondency" is a feeling of hopelessness.

Example Question #72 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

AILMENT

Possible Answers:

Clandestine

Sickness 

Treatment 

Dogma 

Obstinate 

Correct answer:

Sickness 

Explanation:

An "ailment" is an affliction or a sickness. For clarification, "clandestine" means secret or underground, "dogma" refers to a system of belief or a doctrine, and "obstinate" means stubborn.

Example Question #73 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: choose the word with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Dependable

Possible Answers:

Tolerable

Successful

Ordinary

Reliable

Rare

Correct answer:

Reliable

Explanation:

"Reliable" means dependable.

Example Question #74 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

AMIABLE

Possible Answers:

Good-natured 

Ill-tempered

Radical 

Erratic 

Recalcitrant 

Correct answer:

Good-natured 

Explanation:

"Amiable" means good-natured. "Ill-tempered" means cantankerous, so it is an antonym of "amiable," not a "synonym." For clarification, "erratic" means unpredictable or devoid of a pattern, "recalcitrant" means unruly and disobedient, and "radical" means favoring major changes.

Example Question #1241 : Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

SIZEABLE

Possible Answers:

Unwilling

Rural

Unused

Wasteful

Substantial

Correct answer:

Substantial

Explanation:

"Sizeable" means substantial, so "substantial," an adjective that means very large, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "sizeable": "unwilling" means hesitant or not willing or ready to do something, as you might infer from the word being a combination of the negative prefix "un-," which means not, and "willing"; "unused" means original or new, or in other words, not used, as you might have inferred from the word also including the negative prefix "un-"; "rural" means located in or having qualities of the countryside as opposed to cities; and "wasteful" means spending or using too much or more than that is needed.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

EGOTIST

Possible Answers:

Selfless person 

Athletic person 

Wise person 

Calm person 

Conceited person 

Correct answer:

Conceited person 

Explanation:

An "egotist" is a selfish and conceited person. For clarification, "conceited" means self-obsessed and arrogant.

Example Question #1242 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

LEGIBLE

Possible Answers:

Readable

Intelligent

Rash

Humorous

Energetic

Correct answer:

Readable

Explanation:

"Legible" means neat enough to be read and understood, so "readable" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "legible": "intelligent" means smart; "energetic" means lively or possessing a lot of energy; "rash" means reckless or careless; and "humorous" means funny.

Example Question #72 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms

Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

PACIFY

Possible Answers:

dismiss

a baby's toy

agree

soothe

surrender

Correct answer:

soothe

Explanation:

"Pacify" means to soothe or ease.

Example Question #73 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Each of the following questions consists of one word followed by five words or phrases. You are to select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

FORTIFY

Possible Answers:

serve

inspire

win

bend

strengthen

Correct answer:

strengthen

Explanation:

Fortify most nearly means strengthen as in "After the attack, the governor elected to fortify the city".

Example Question #1244 : Synonyms

Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Unify

Possible Answers:

to extend

to order

to separate

to impress

to bring together

Correct answer:

to bring together

Explanation:

"Unify" means to bring together.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors